By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
It won’t be long before the number of boats and other watercraft on Lake Panorama starts to increase. Corey Larsen has been the Lake Panorama Association (LPA) security chief since March 2021. In this month’s Q&A, Larsen answers questions about LPA boating rules, regulations and water safety.
Q. When LPA members receive their boat stickers, they also are given a printed copy of the LPA boating regulations. What’s new for 2026?
A. At its December 2025 meeting, the LPA board accepted recommendations of the water safety committee and approved changes to LPA rules related to boating operations.
The most significant change is that wakesport activities now must remain at least 100 feet from the edge of docks and lifts. This change was made in an effort to protect docks, lifts and vessels stored on lifts from the impact of large waves from wakeboats. If no docks or lifts are present, watersport activities must remain at least 100 feet from the shoreline.
Also, the words “wakesport activities” were added in several locations in the new rule, making it clear wakesport activities are covered under the same rules as towing.
The other change is that guest boat passes are no longer available. For many years, the LPA sold guest boat passes for non-holiday, weekday use only. Because of concerns raised about boating safety, boat density and boat operator competency, plus our ongoing efforts to keep invasive species out of Lake Panorama, the water safety committee recommended elimination of all guest boat passes. The LPA board approved this recommendation last December.
Q. What should watercraft owners do to prepare for the 2026 boating season?
A. A good place to start is the LPA water safety video that outlines specific rules related to Lake Panorama. The video was designed as an introductory course for boaters and jet ski operators who are new to Lake Panorama. It also is a great refresher course for operators who would like to review the association’s water safety rules. Note the video was created in 2021 and does not highlight the December 2025 changes regarding wakesport activities.
To access the video, go to the LPA website at lakepanorama.org, and click on the Helpful Links tab. Also, information about Iowa boating laws is on the DNR’s boating website at iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Boating.
A reminder LPA members must have their Iowa DNR registration up to date and their current LPA stickers on the vessel before it goes in the water.
Fire extinguishers and floatation devices are key safety items. Iowa law requires boats with greater than 10 horsepower to have at least one Type B-I fire extinguisher onboard the vessel. Some larger boats are required to have one B-II fire extinguisher, or two B-I fire extinguishers. Boat owners should check extinguishers to make sure these are ready if needed.
All vessels are required to have at least one United States Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board. In addition, vessels over 16-feet in length must have a throwable floatation device, excluding kayaks and canoes. Iowa Law requires children under 13 years of age to wear their life jacket while the vessel is underway.
Q. Once LPA members have their boats on the lake, what are some things they need to remember?
A. Most boats are rated for a maximum number of persons and a maximum total weight. Boat operators are not allowed to exceed either of these numbers. This is especially relevant with young people who weigh less than adults. Regardless of how small the passenger is, everyone counts as one passenger in the boat capacity limit.
When a watercraft is anchored, at least one person must be on board at all times. This applies to both personal watercraft and boats, and is important when boaters decide to anchor and take a swim, or tie together with another boat.
In 2018, a map showing the type and location of all buoys was proposed by the water safety committee and approved by the LPA board. Members receive this buoy map with their stickers and LPA boating regulations. The map also is available on the LPA website. Go to the Documents tab, then the Boating Items tab to access it.
Centerline buoys mark the channel of the lake, with boaters traveling on the right-hand side of the buoys. These buoys are marked with a flashing or steady white light to be visible at night. Hazard buoys are placed in areas known to be shallow or hazardous. These buoys are not a guarantee of exact hazard location, but rather a warning to steer clear of that general area. Hazard buoys are marked with flashing or steady amber lights. Remember, when boating at night, avoid amber lights and stay immediately to the right of white lights.
Boaters who don’t obey the rules related to buoys risk being stopped by a security officer, and given either a warning or a ticket. Also in place is a rule concerning the moving of buoys. Intentional vandalism or relocation of buoys will result in an automatic third offense, which under LPA rules is a $500 fine and loss of boating privileges for the season.
Q. What is the rule regarding towing in the Narrows?
A. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Narrows is limited to no towing and wake surfing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays. If boat traffic is especially heavy at other times, security officers have the authority to put flags on the markers to show no towing is allowed.
Two buoys have been installed, with one on each end of the Narrows. These buoys state the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. towing restrictions for weekends and holidays, and also when flags are displayed. These buoys are white and orange, and much larger than other buoys on the lake.
If security officers see you towing in the Narrows during the restricted hours, or other times when it has been determined it is unsafe to tow, they can issue a warning or a citation.
Q. Review rules related to prevention of invasive species in Lake Panorama.
A. Any vessel leaving any other lake must be cleaned, all compartments drained, and the vessel should dry at least five days before re-entering Lake Panorama. The vessel owner must contact LPA Security to schedule an inspection. They must be able to show they have not been on an infested lake, have no water in compartments, no plant debris or mud, or any other sign of potential contamination. This is an Iowa law and is enforceable with a $500 fine. The LPA also has set fines for violators and for falsified information on questionnaires.
Another LPA rule related to invasives species prevention requires members who want to bring in used pieces of equipment like docks or lifts to have the equipment inspected by LPA security. From the date of inspection, once the equipment is cleaned and has passed inspection, members must find an offshore location to store the equipment for a minimum of 30 days. This allows any potential invasives to perish before the equipment enters the lake. Members should always call the LPA office ahead of time if they are considering purchasing a used dock or lift.
Q. What fines are in place to help enforce the LPA rules that promote water safety?
A. The primary goal for LPA Security is to educate members, promote safety and ensure unsafe behavior is corrected. LPA issues fines, if needed, to accomplish our goals for safe boating. But our hope is members conduct themselves appropriately and our need to issue fines is minimal.
The LPA schedule of fines includes $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 plus loss of lake privileges for third offense. LPA has a special section in our rules that provides for increased fines and penalties for any member who threatens or harasses an LPA officer. It is a violation of LPA rules to threaten or try to intimidate a security officer, or to verbally abuse an officer in a profane manner. Members have the right to appeal any LPA fines to the LPA appeals committee, which is comprised of five LPA members appointed for this specific purpose.
LPA Security has the right to stop a boat at any time if a rule violation is suspected, or to make sure all required equipment is aboard. The Security Department uses body cameras to help us monitor interactions between officers and people we come in contact with. It is our goal to ensure every officer interaction is professional and respectful for all parties involved.
Q. Any final comments?
A. For years, Iowa law has prohibited the display of a blue light or a flashing blue light on boats. House File 863 was passed this year by both the Iowa House and Senate and has been signed into law by Gov. Reynolds. Beginning July 1, Iowa boaters are permitted to display blue lights on vessels as long as those blue lights are not flashing. Flashing blue lights remain reserved for authorized emergency vessels.
LPA’s rules related to boating are geared to improving safety on Lake Panorama. All boaters should practice safe boating. Stay a safe distance from other boats and people being towed or wake surfing. Have a plan for the boating party, including having a sober person operate the vessel.
LPA Security’s phone number is 641-757-9035. I encourage members to get this number in their cell phones, and contact LPA Security with questions or concerns. In the case of a fire, medical or police emergency, call 911. n